The Forest Department started free coaching for 45 tribal aspirants in Jawadhu Hills to help them clear TNPSC exams. Officials said, "As most tribal students have studied in Tamil medium, we encourage them to appear for examinations." The program provides study materials and food to help youth pursue better careers.
Tribal aspirants, including graduates in Jawadhu Hills, are busy attending classes as forest officials have started free coaching for competitive examinations, especially the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC). The classes took place at the Forest Higher Secondary School at Jamunamarathur village in the hills.
Forest officials said that the initiative by the Forest Department was aimed to discourage educated tribal youth from following the footsteps of their ancestors, who worked as wood cutters, and pursue a career for themselves. "As most tribal students have studied in Tamil medium, we encourage them to appear for examinations conducted by the TNPSC," said G. Vinoth Raj, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF), Tiruvannamalai.
The initiative was was backed by a team of forest officials led by K. Sudhakar, District Forest Officer.
The team of forest officials, whose co-ordinator was S. Gunasekaran, forest range officer, Jamunamarathur, decided to focus on TNPSC examinations as a large number of posts for tribal youth were available. For example, of the total 750 forest watchers, 190 vacancies were reserved for tribal youth alone. "The free coaching for competitive examinations helps us sharpen our skills and focus on what is required to crack such examinations. Such classes should be conducted for all competitive examinations round-the-year in the hills," said B. Sokkan, an aspirant.
Around 45 tribal aspirants, including 23 girls in the hills enrolled for the free coaching held at the Forest School. Classes were held on Saturdays and Sundays between 9 a.m and 6 p.m on the campus. Specialised instructors from private coaching institutes were also roped in to provide in-depth analysis to crack the examinations.
Aspirants were given food, study materials, and writing kits at free of cost. Classes were also taken by new recruits of the Forest Department as they had practical knowledge.
Forest officials managed to get study materials, including the syllabus, previous years' question papers, mock tests, and books for the TNPSC exams at a subsidy rate through Rotary clubs. Each aspirant was given complete study materials.